Page 129 of The Encore’s Crown

“I noticed you first. You know how to make people look where you want them to.”

My fingers tighten slightly around the stem of my glass.

Watching changes people.

Kiri’s voice moves through my memory. I push it down. Julian checks the time.

“I’m supposed to make rounds before half the senior execs leave.” He stands, smoothing one hand over his jacket. “Don’t disappear.”

“That sounds like an order.”

“A request.” His smile warms. “I’ll come back.”

He takes two steps, then turns.

“And Natalia? You don’t belong at the edge of any room.”

Before I can answer, he disappears into the crowd. I watch him go. I feel almost nothing. But almost is more than Ryder managed. I settle deeper into the couch and tap one nail against my glass. Across the room, Kiri and Radhika laugh with the others. I turn my attention toward the windows before either of them can catch me looking.

Chapter 45

Extraordinary

Kiri

The sight of all of us together like this feels like a fever dream. Radhika beside me. Rithy and Ronan grinning at her like no time has passed. Rafe standing with Kasia instead of Emily or whichever beautiful disaster used to be draped over him at parties like this. It feels like two versions of my life have been forced into the same room.

I turn toward Kasia.

“Kasia, this is Radhika Malhotra. Radhika, Kasia Sawadzka.”

Radhika’s smile widens with recognition. “Of course. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Kasia glances at Rafe. “Should I be concerned?”

“Only if he told the truth,” Rithy says. Rafe gives him the finger without looking away from Kasia. “What? She already knows insults are my love language.”

“Yeah, we're all fluent,” I say.

Kasia laughs. A server passes with a silver tray of champagne, and we each take a glass. Radhika lifts hers toward the group.

“To finding the same idiots in every decade.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Ronan says.

We’ve barely taken our first sips when a woman in a silver dress comes weaving toward us. I recognize her from something. A series, maybe. One of those shows everyone pretends not to watch and then discusses in detail. Her eyes are fixed on Radhika. She's clearly coming over to tell her something heartfelt, worshipful, or completely incoherent. She never makes it. Her heel catches and she stumbles sideways into Ronan, her champagne going directly down the front of his shirt.

“Jesus Christ.”

Ronan catches her before she follows the drink to the floor, steadying her by both arms.

“Oh my God.” Her face goes white beneath the makeup. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“You’re grand,” he says, because Ronan could be bleeding and still reassure the person holding the knife. “You okay?”

She nods too quickly, then remembers why she crossed the room. Her gaze snaps back to Radhika.

“I’ve seen everything you’ve ever done.”